The Health Benefits of Flower Therapy
Have you heard of Flower Therapy? This
healing method works with different blossoms (based on their appearance,
fragrance, essence, color and energy) to address specific needs and
desires. Flower therapy is predominantly based on nature's healing
abilities, and is in some ways, similar to naturopathic medicine (a
blend of modern, scientific knowledge with natural forms of medicine).
Similarly, flowers can be used to create potent healing effects too.
Regardless of whether you're working with flowers in your own garden, or
those specially purchased to heal a specific situation, they will bring
more emotional, physical and spiritual beauty into your life.
A little history
Between 1930 and 1936, Doctor Edward Bach discovered this new method of
therapy. He discovered that some flowers and plants have the power to
soothe the the soul and decided to name it Flower Therapy. He observed
his patients carefully and predominantly focused on the emotional
dysfunction of his suffering patients. Bach was convinced that illness
is the materialization of deep inner lacerations, arising out of
negative feelings that have made their way within the individual,
resulting in severe physical symptoms. He therefore established Flower
Therapy to deal with psychological and emotional well-being as the
cornerstone for reaching or maintaining physical health.
Edward Bach identified and established 38 remedies. Each remedy is
associated with a basic human emotion. Take the flower Mimulus for
example. This flower remedy is beneficial when you feel frightened or
anxious about something. It tackles your everyday fears - fear of public
speaking, fear of the dark, fear of aggressive dogs, of illness and
pain. But, in the case of real terror, the Rock Rose flower may serve as
a better option.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for informative
purposes only. Always consult with a qualified practitioner for proper
diagnosis and treatment.
Meanwhile, let's take a look at six flowers and their healing
properties. To select the remedies you need, think about the sort of
person you are and the way you are feeling:
Agrimony (Agrimonia): The remedy for people who keep their troubles
hidden under a mask of pleasure and happiness.
This person is often the life and soul of
the party, the cheerful someone whose friends are the last to know that
anything is wrong in their life. Such a person prefers to be among
others as their mask tends to slip, revealing their repressed thoughts.
Benefits: Agrimony helps us come to terms with the darker side of our
lives and personality. It enables us to keep our sense of humor and
maintain our ability throughout the day.
Cerato: The remedy for people who lack faith in their judgment.
This person tends to lack sufficient
confidence in themselves and find it difficult to make their own
decisions. They often seek advice from others and consequently, tend to
be misguided.
Benefits: Cerato helps us have more faith in our decisions and judgment.
It encourages us to listen to our inner voice and trust our intuition.
Gorse: The remedy for people who have given up belief and hope.
This person feels an overwhelming sense of
hopelessness. They have given up on the belief that more can be done for
them. This person willfully refuses to be encouraged. If ill, they may
think themselves to be incurable and insist that nothing can be done.
Benefits: Gorse is a remedy for uncertainty. The main problem here, is
that a person has lost faith. Gorse therefore helps this person see
things in a different light, making them believe that there is a way
forward.
Mustard: The remedy for deep gloom and depression that descends for no
apparent reason.
This person may have 'attacks' of gloom and
despair and find it almost impossible, in such times, to appear happy
or cheerful. They try to list all the reasons they have to feel happy
and content, but still, everything looks bleak and hopeless.
Benefits: The remedy helps dispel the cloudiness and darkness they feel,
so that they may feel joy and peace in their lives.
White Chestnut: The remedy for unwanted thoughts and mental arguments that prevent us from concentrating.
This person constantly worries, but may not
necessarily be anxious or fearful. Such thoughts usually lead nowhere
and just go round and round in the mind, like a looped recording.
Benefits: White chestnut encourages the worried person to think
straight, helping them deal with their underlying problems calmly and
rationally.
Olive: The remedy for tiredness and exhaustion.
This remedy is suitable for the person who
has suffered mentally or physically and feels so exhausted and weary
that he/she has no more strength to make any effort. It is also ideal
for those who have had to endure a long struggle against illness.
Benefits: The remedy helps restore our strength and the faith we need to
continue an effort, helping us to feel energized or enabling us to rest
properly.